John Gibson: If Tommy hasn’t done it again!

John Gibson

There are people – people who don’t know what they’re talking about – who say they made sufficient fuss over Tommy Carson when they pinned a British Empire Medal on him a year ago. No they didn’t.

The unrivalled champion of Scotland’s pensioners, at the mind-blowing age of 90 (it was his birthday this month), has done it again – organised a Christmas party for oldies. He has fixed it, with a nod of approval by the Lord Provost, for December 15 at the City Chambers. Scoff and live entertainment donated by volunteers.

Unlike many of his fellow oldies, timeless Tommy, as the man himself says, is not ready for the knackers’ yard.

Beach holidays kick the bucket

While we are calling a spade a spade, ref my words on Monty Don . . . the ball’s burst on the beach at Portobello. Club Med (how often do they stray up here, to the wilderness?) have commissioned a survey of 2OOO parents and children and most have confirmed they’ve lost interest in the traditional bucket-and-spade family holiday, preferring computer and video games.

They’d plump for unhealthy indoor pursuits, scorning the donkeys and candy floss. So Porty’s charms, that bracing air, will soon be at a peep. Could be the kickboxing at Portobello Town Hall will win them over.

Afterwords . . .

. . . the height of impertinence, coming as it does from a serf, but, pray, can I ask you, Prince Michael, but what do you do, exactly, for a living?